The new year is always a great time to wipe the slate clean and get a fresh start on your bucket list. But a new decade? Now there’s an opportunity to put your dreams into high gear once and for all, starting with meaningful resolutions.
To be worthwhile, your 2020 resolutions should be more than wishful thinking; they should be specific, realistic goals that take you where you want to go in life. Here are some tips on developing resolutions that will actually get you there:
- Know where you’re starting from. It takes serious thought to formulate resolutions that really matter in your life. Think about the path you’ve been on and how you want it to be different in the future. What went well in the past year and what would you do differently if you could?
- Envision what you want your future to look like. This step involves defining what’s most important to you and how achieving this goal will help create the life you want. How do you want to grow as a person? What one thing do you want to accomplish above all else?
- Figure out what you should stop doing. This one is tough, but necessary. Do you have habits or behaviors that don’t fit in your new future, such as procrastinating or having unrealistic expectations of yourself? Make note of these as potential resolutions for 2020.
- Set specific goals. Now that you know what you want to accomplish, write your resolutions on paper. Be specific. Instead of “Lose weight,” write, “Lose 10 pounds by July 1.” Instead of “Learn a new skill,” write, “Complete half the courses for an MBA degree by the end of the year.”
- Develop an action plan. Every journey is a series of small steps. Break your resolutions into detailed actions you must take every day and any tools you might need along the way. If you want to get a degree, for example, your action plan might include researching schools, applying for financial aid and preparing a list of questions to ask a student advisor.
As you can see, creating meaningful resolutions that positively impact your life is a process, but it’s definitely worth the effort. Make your 2020 resolutions now, then watch for a future post on how to keep them!
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